Maschmeyer earns shutout in Canada's 3-0 win over Finland at Four Nations

Maschmeyer earns shutout in Canada’s 3-0 win over Finland at Four Nations

SASKATOON — Canadian goaltender Emerance Maschmeyer exorcised a painful memory in helping her country advance to the final of the Four Nations Cup women’s hockey tournament.

The 24-year-old from Bruderheim, Alta., posted a 14-save shutout in Canada’s 3-0 win over Finland on Friday.

It was Maschmeyer’s first international start since giving up three goals on 11 shots and getting pulled in the second period of a preliminary-round game against Finland at the 2017 world championship.

Finland beat Canada for the first time in international women’s hockey that day in a 4-3 decision.

“For me personally, the last time I played them it was not the outcome I wanted and so for me it was a little bit of redemption today,” Maschmeyer said Friday.

“It kind of closes that door and it’s kind of onward and upward now.”

Canada (2-1) wants to wrest one women’s hockey title away from the United States (3-0) when the two countries clash for the gold medal Saturday at the SaskTel Centre.

Finland (1-2) meets Sweden (0-3) for bronze.

The Americans have won three straight Four Nations titles. They’re also the reigning Olympic and world champions.

“We want it really bad,” Canadian forward Melodie Daoust said. “We’re going to see Canada fierce and ready to play them. We know we can beat them, so it’s just a matter of time and sticking with the plan.”

Daoust scored 25 seconds after the opening faceoff and Rebecca Johnston again at 4:55 on veteran goaltender Noora Raty on Friday.

But Raty held the hosts at bay after that with 45 saves overall in the game. Laura Stacey scored an empty-net goal for Canada.

“You know with this goalie, you need a lot of pressure on her,” Daoust said. “You need to be in front of her eyes and shoot the puck.

“I think we did a great job of finding the back of the net because she is a great goalie.”

Raty broke her stick during a Canadian power play in the second period. She tended her net for almost two minutes with a skinny stick handed to her by a teammate.

“First time for everything,” Raty said. “I was trying to get a break or a whistle so I could get rid of that stick.”

The Finns had just 16 skaters Friday, which was one more than they had in a 3-2 win over the Swedes on Wednesday.

Illness began working its way through the team after playing an exhibition game against Canada in Prince Albert, Sask., on Sunday.